By Jude Opara
The Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Hon. Kayode Oladele has urged the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to always ensure equitable distribution of projects across the country.
Oladele gave the charge yesterday, when he played host to the leadership of the NSIA who visited the headquarters of the FCC in Abuja.
He further stressed that the present administration was doing well in infrastructural investments, insisting that they should go round the country for inclusiveness.
Oladele said, “Together, we can develop a framework that ensures projects are distributed fairly across the federation, that procurement processes give opportunities to businesses from all regions—including women, youth and persons with disabilities—and that the jobs and skills generated by NSIA-funded projects are equitably shared among Nigerians.
“In practical terms, this partnership can take the form of five focus areas: first, joint mapping of investments to identify underserved areas and guide project siting; second, inclusive procurement that deliberately expands opportunities for diverse vendors nationwide; third, structured job creation and skills development programmes embedded in every NSIA project; fourth, community engagement and social safeguards to ensure that host communities benefit directly; and fifth, a transparency framework, including an inclusion dashboard, to publicly track how these investments are impacting Nigerians across states and regions.
“Our proposal is not to slow down your work with bureaucracy but to add value by ensuring that compliance with federal character is designed into your projects from the start.
“To achieve this, we suggest constituting a joint technical working group between our institutions, signing a memorandum of understanding to guide collaboration, and choosing a few flagship projects as pilots for this model of inclusive investment.”
“Within the next 90 days, we can already launch tangible initiatives such as an equity index for project appraisal, regional vendor development clinics, and a fellowship programme for young Nigerians deployed across NSIA projects.
“Inclusion is not just about fairness, it is about making Nigeria work. When Nigerians from Kaura-Namoda to Ogoja, from Onitsha to Akure, can all see evidence that national wealth is working for them, the bonds of unity are strengthened and our democ
“This is the bigger picture that guides our Commission’s work and which we invite the NSIA to embrace as a competitive advantage in your investment strategy”, he stated.
Also, the FCC Acting Chairman while explaining the reason for the collaboration of the two government agencies, said, “The NSIA has the responsibility of safeguarding and growing Nigeria’s wealth for present and future generations through prudent investments in critical sectors.
“The Federal Character Commission, on the other hand, is constitutionally mandated to ensure equity, fairness, inclusivity and cohesion in the distribution of opportunities, infrastructure, and appointments across our diverse federation.
“If the NSIA builds the pipelines of prosperity, the FCC ensures that prosperity flows fairly across every part of the country. This meeting, therefore, is not ceremonial, it is strategic.
“It is about aligning investment with inclusion so that every project financed with Nigeria’s sovereign wealth does not only yield returns but also fosters fairness, unity, and national belonging.
“We are at a time in Nigeria’s development journey when every Naira of public investment counts. Roads, power plants, healthcare facilities, agricultural hubs, housing, digital infrastructure all these projects are shaping where industries grow, where jobs are created, and where opportunities emerge.”
Oladele added that if federal character principles were observed in the design, location, procurement, and staffing, it will not only ensure equity but also improve the sustainability of the investments, because citizens who see themselves represented in public projects are more likely to embrace, protect, and support them.
“For us at the FCC, three pillars guide our work; representation in opportunities, equity in distribution, and cohesion as the end result. These pillars are not abstract, they are constitutional directives that bind every ministry, department, agency, and state-owned entity. This includes the NSIA”, he concluded.
